Getting into Grad SchoolIan Newby-Clark, PhD

Associate Professor, PsychologyGraduate Coordinator

Member, Doctor Who Information Network (DWIN)

Overview Kinds of Graduate Schools

The Nature of Psych. Grad School

Applying

Funding

Where to Next?

Professors’ Views

Do and Don’t

Timeline

Graduate Schools

Psychology

Various Areas

Counseling

Education

Social Work

Occupational Therapy

Grad School in Psychology

Masters/PhD or PhD Only

Expected to go on to PhD

Research Intensive

Publishing Conferences Teaching (sometimes)

Coursework

Depends on School and Area

Applying (Four Parts) Grades

“A” is best but not required (Stats!) Last two years

References

At Least Two How do you STAND OUT?

GREs (http://www.ets.org)

General and Subject

Personal Statement

Internal Funding

Teaching Assistant

Research Assistant

Supervisor’s Grant

Internal Scholarships

Teaching

External Funding OSAP

Ontario Graduate Scholarships (OGS)

Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)

Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council (NSERC)

Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR)

Look for “Niche” Scholarships

The Allure of “Top Up”

Where to Next? Academe

Practice

Labs

Government

Industry

Consulting

Write a Novel

Do Speak to Profs and TA’s

Get Experience

Work toward Thesis

Study for GRE’s

Pick an Exciting Topic

Read Articles

Work on Your Writing Skills!

Don’t Generic Applications

Be Too Modest

Feign Interest

Wait Until the Last Minute

Ignore Budgeting

Martyr Yourself to Fashion

Take it Too Personally

Timeline

Year Before (AT LEAST):

Research Experience

GRE’s

Meet at Least 3 Profs

Summer/Early Autumn

Send a Cover Letter to Schools

Review APA and CPA Books

Talk to Profs About Plans

Timeline

Mid-Autumn (November)

Final List of Schools

Checklist for Each School

Organized List to Profs Stamps, Checklists, Dates, CV, Special Info

Order Transcripts/GREs

Work on Personal Statement EDIT EDIT EDIT!

Timeline

December

Watch Doctor Who Christmas Special (and Wait)

January

Thank Your Referees (and Wait)

Timeline February (Interviews)

Cheap Travel and Good Outfit Be Honest and Be Yourself

Period. Speak to Students

Get Lots of Info

Funding, switching advisors, course load . . . Check Out the City

Restaurants, Cost of Living, Future Spouses Remember to Interview Them

Timeline March

Make Your Lists with Your Choices It’s YOUR DECISION Can You Be Happy There? Financially Okay?

April

Make Your Decision Inform Other Places (ASAP)

May Retirement

Enjoy!